As Christian community is making arrangements for Christmas celebrations, teenagers and young members start decorating evergreen coniferous trees as a tradition associated with the annual festival observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among Christians around the world.
As the day – December 25 – is just around the corner, Christians have started thronging shopping malls in order to buy new clothes and decorating Christmas trees. Stalls carrying Christmas props and trees and its decorations have been set up at various markets while the community members also rushing to markets for shopping on their major festival.
Also, churches are also decked out with arches, buntings and bells. Christmas trees are also being placed in hotels and other business centres. The tree is usually decorated with different ornaments including baubles, small bells painted gold or silver, stars of different shapes and sizes, pine cones, apples, candies, tinsel and balloons made from glass, metal, wood and ceramic.
The Christians prepare for this festivity to signify the birth of Jesus Christ through lighting up Christmas tree cheerfully and in a spirit of the occasion. The Christians working in different offices also decorated Christmas trees on the entrance of buildings, as they shared their happiness with the rest of the colleagues. Kids of all age groups instantly fall in love with the decorated tree, a resident said.
It’s not only Christians who attracting towards decorated trees but children of all community enjoying this festivity and decorated trees as well. It’s definitely the colour and decoration which attracts them. Taking pictures next to these trees is also a must for these kids so they can later upload them on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Addressing an event, Islamabad Assistant Commissioner Sidra Anwar called upon people of all religions and walks of life to observe Christmas with reverence and to inculcate a spirit of the august occasion in the young generation. She said that Christmas celebrates life, teachings and sacrifices of Jesus Christ and teaches all to care for the poor and needy.
Addressing a Christmas ceremony in Lahore, Government College University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi said that the university had always promoted tolerance and religious harmony. The faculty and staff members participated with the university’s Christian community in a colourful ceremony at the university’s Bukhari Auditorium.